- Kenya will represent Africa in its capacity as the Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN).
- Duale said their focus will be on securing climate finance, advancing adaptation efforts and finalising carbon market regulations.
Image: ADEN DUALE
Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has revealed the key issues Africa will champion during the COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Duale said that Africa should collectively push for the issues to be addressed by the developed countries.
Kenya will represent Africa’s priorities at the upcoming COP29.
Kenya will represent Africa in its capacity as the Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN).
Duale said their focus will be on securing climate finance, advancing adaptation efforts and finalising carbon market regulations.
Speaking at the 10th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), Duale emphasised the urgent need for a new global climate financing target to replace the outdated $100 billion goal.
"Africa is calling for $1.3 trillion per year by 2030, primarily through grants and concessional loans, to avoid worsening the debt situation in developing countries," Duale stated.
The CS said that Africa will also advocate for reforms in international financial systems to better support vulnerable nations.
He said that the continent will prioritise increasing adaptation funding, especially for sectors like agriculture, health and infrastructure, where the current funding levels fall far short of the estimated $400 billion required annually.
Duale further stressed the importance of establishing sustainable financing for the Loss and Damage Fund.
He said the Loss and Damage Fund has received $700 million in initial pledges but urgently needs long-term solutions.
Africa will also challenge the decision to place the Santiago Network’s secretariat in Geneva, and advocate instead for Nairobi as a more cost-effective and practical location, Duale said.
The CS said that Kenya is pushing for developed nations to raise their emissions reduction targets and provide greater support to developing countries in achieving their climate goals.
He underscored the need to address Africa’s unique circumstances in dealing with climate change, an issue that has met resistance since the Paris Agreement.
The AGN will present Africa’s unified position at the upcoming UN General Assembly, calling for active participation and engagement in COP29’s discussions and negotiations.
The 29th Conference of the Parties will be held from November 11 to 22 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan.
COP29 will focus on advancing the goals of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, including efforts to limit global warming, adapt to the impacts of climate change, and mobilize financing for these activities.
This conference will encompass several key meetings: the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 29), the 19th meeting of the COP as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 19), and the sixth meeting of the COP as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 6).